U.S. Mission in Uganda Public Affairs Annual Program Statement | AFKAM FY22 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for AFKAM FY22 01

The U.S. Mission in Uganda Public Affairs Annual Program Statement (Funding Opportunity Number AFKAM FY22 01) is a discretionary Department of State grant opportunity run through the U.S. Mission in Uganda Public Affairs Office. It provides funding under the Public Diplomacy Grant Program for projects typically ranging from $5,000 to $40,000, with larger requests potentially considered in special cases. The program is designed to support public diplomacy activities that strengthen relationships between Ugandans and Americans, reinforce shared values, and build lasting people-to-people ties. Projects are generally expected to be completed within one year or less, and for FY2022 proposals must include a clear COVID-19 contingency plan explaining how activities would continue or adapt if health restrictions affect in-person programming.

The core focus is on engaging high-potential Ugandan youth and young professionals, generally ages 16 to 35, while also including established professional leaders where relevant. Priority outcomes include helping young Ugandans, especially young women, explore their potential through innovative STEM learning and entrepreneurship; increasing youth participation in civic life through social entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community engagement; and deepening understanding of U.S. values and institutions while highlighting U.S. culture, American Studies, and principles such as diversity, inclusion, and equality. The opportunity also encourages arts-based approaches that support positive self-expression, social change, and economic opportunity for youth. Another emphasis is capacity building for emerging community leaders ages 22 to 35 (such as sports coaches, arts instructors, and cultural professionals) so they can grow their organizations and connect more effectively with youth audiences. In addition, the program supports initiatives that promote new technologies and innovative solutions to economic, environmental, and social challenges, including efforts that link U.S. technology or public policy expertise with Ugandan counterparts or adapt American innovations to local needs. Finally, the grant supports civil society strengthening through programs that improve NGO/CSO management, build skills of early to mid-career CSO professionals, expand professional networks between the United States and Uganda, and demonstrate the positive role civil society plays in a democratic and prosperous society.

A key eligibility requirement is that proposals must include significant U.S. content. This is not optional: proposals lacking a strong U.S. component are not considered for funding. U.S. content can be shown through meaningful participation of U.S. experts or alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, partnerships with U.S. organizations or educational institutions, engagement with U.S. companies operating in Uganda, and the use or adaptation of U.S. models and best practices. It can also include learning materials tied to American history, society, culture, government, or institutions. The Mission particularly values projects that are likely to continue creating U.S.-Uganda connections after the grant ends, rather than one-off events with limited follow-through.

Examples of activities that are commonly funded include alumni-focused programs that reinforce and extend what participants learned through State Department exchanges; youth leadership and engagement initiatives; trainings, workshops, seminars, and master classes on American-related themes or on shared priorities tied to the program objectives; programs that empower young women; and radio, television, and social media training and content that advance the public diplomacy goals. The announcement also encourages collaborative proposals structured as partnerships between Ugandan and U.S. organizations. Applicants are also invited to creatively use U.S. Mission resources such as the American Center in Kampala and the Nile Explorer bus, a mobile classroom used to bring extracurricular STEM and other learning opportunities to underserved communities.

The statement also makes clear what the program does not usually fund. Proposals centered on social welfare, general community development, or vocational skilling are typically outside the scope, as are requests to cover fees and travel to attend conferences in the United States. The program generally avoids funding ongoing salaries and office equipment, paying to finish activities already started with other funding, and projects that are partisan or inherently political, including anything that could look like support for a specific candidate or party in an election. Political party activities are excluded, as are projects that support specific religious activities. Other excluded categories include trade promotion, fundraising campaigns, commercial projects, scientific research, construction, and projects primarily aimed at building the applicant organization itself rather than delivering outward-facing public diplomacy programming.

The Public Affairs Office is open to proposals that include U.S. citizen experts participating in events in Uganda either virtually or in person. For in-person expert travel, allowable costs may include economy airfare on a U.S. flag carrier, meals and incidental stipends, a daily honorarium, lodging, and local transportation. Proposals involving U.S. experts are expected to include a proposed daily schedule with at least two full program days (not counting travel), and if the expert will participate in a conference, applicants should provide details about the conference organizer, topics, objectives, audience, other sponsors, and expected speakers. When feasible, the Mission prefers to support expert trips that include multiple engagements, and it may coordinate with grantees to add additional events that further the program objectives.

Eligibility is geared toward non-profit entities and qualifying individuals. The opportunity targets committed and organized civil society organizations, local civil society representatives, think tanks, NGOs, cultural institutions, and academic institutions, with individual applicants considered case-by-case. All grantees must have non-profit status. The Mission encourages proposals that reach geographically and demographically diverse audiences across Uganda. U.S.-based NGOs, international NGOs, and individuals may apply, and collaborative applications that link U.S. and Ugandan partners are explicitly encouraged.

Applications were reviewed in three rounds during FY2022, with deadlines listed as December 31, 2021; March 15, 2022; and May 30, 2022 (the posting also shows an original closing date of May 30, 2022). The award ceiling is $40,000 and the opportunity anticipated around five awards. The CFDA number associated with the program is 19.040, and the funding activity category is listed as “Other,” reflecting the broad public diplomacy scope described in the announcement.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Uganda in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Mission in Uganda Public Affairs Annual Program Statement" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 08, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 30, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $40,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for AFKAM FY22 01

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